Good morning, Decatur.

The Scovill Zoo in Decatur is getting ready to open with new animals such as mountain lions, a baby howler monkey, and a wallaby joey, and its opening day is set for April 5.

The zoo will offer free entry every Monday in April and every Thursday in June—giving local families more chances to visit.

The Decatur Family YMCA will host Throwdown at the Y, a bags tournament fundraiser supporting its Annual Campaign, on April 26th at 220 W McKinley Ave. Registration opens at 12:00 PM and the tournament begins at 1:00 PM with teams paying a $40 entry fee + the event offering a 50/50 raffle and door prizes.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight will kick off its 2025 flying season on April 15 by transporting 93 veterans from Decatur and other Illinois towns on a chartered flight to Washington DC—departing from Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport at 4:00 a.m.—and returning at 9:30 p.m.

Police said a neighbor allegedly attacked another with a baseball bat, fists and elbows, leaving him unconscious and bleeding outside his home.

Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater and Staley Credit Union will celebrate 95 years with an evening show featuring the Coral Reefer Band and special guests The Boat Drunks—tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on April 14 and the event is not part of the Devon season ticket package.

Decatur native Tom Noonan has been appointed as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at St. Teresa High School for the 2025-2026 school year — he will replace Matt Snyder, who now serves as the school’s principal.

On April 1st, Decatur Fire and Water Department crews began flushing and flow testing about 1,200 hydrants during April — work that keeps nearly 4,500 hydrants ready for use.

Residents may see temporary water discoloration where testing occurred — they should check water clarity before doing laundry.

Decatur City Council elected two incumbents and one newcomer to four-year terms; David Horn received 3,568 votes at 28.2 percent, Ed Culp got 2,522 votes at 20 percent, and Consuelo Cruz earned 2,502 votes at 19.8 percent.

The new council members will be sworn in on Tuesday, May 6 as final mail ballots are counted.

Midwest Toy & Comic Fest Decatur 2025

10 AM – 4 PM — Decatur Civic Center — $5 at the door — A family-friendly convention featuring toys and comics for all ages.

Molly Hatchet Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Lincoln Square Theater — $18-$75 — Experience the iconic Southern rock sounds of Molly Hatchet blending rock, blues, country, and gospel.

Blain’s Farm & Fleet 70th Anniversary Celebration

9 a.m. — Blain's Farm & Fleet — Check for details on savings — Celebrate 70 years of community service with fun demos, giveaways, and a chance to win a UTV.

True Blue Challenge

12 AM – 12 AM — Kirkland Fine Arts Center — Support our students — Celebrate Millikin University with a fundraising challenge for scholarships.